Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 34

Thread: A Special Project in Progress…

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Tempe, AZ
    Posts
    239
    Feedback Score
    5 (100%)

    A Special Project in Progress…

    This is a long-term project I’ve been working on that is getting close to completion. It will be the second gun I’ve built for the owner and, as with the first pistol, this gun has an overall theme and style to be incorporated into the build.

    One of the modifications that plays into the styling of this gun is a squared and checkered trigger guard. Although quite popular on custom 1911s of the ‘70s and ‘80s it’s not something that is seen as much on the custom builds being done today. Never the less, the squared and checkered trigger guard goes perfectly with the theme of this gun and the photos below show the basics of how I progressed through the modification.

    Stay tuned for a pictorial once the entire pistol is completed.

    Here you can see the pistol before the trigger guard modification. The “L” shaped piece in the photo is the trigger guard insert that I made.




    Machining the stock Colt trigger guard.






    Here the trigger guard insert has been shaped and sized and is ready to weld.




    Trigger guard insert welded to frame and ready for initial shaping.



    The initial blending and shaping of the trigger guard.




    After and bit more weld and some more shaping the trigger guard is ready to be checkered.




    The newly squared trigger guard hand-checkered at 40lpi.






  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    10,904
    Feedback Score
    44 (100%)
    Mr. Burton, thank you for allowing us to peer into your shop. Your work always fascinates me, and is a delight to see.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Lexington, SC
    Posts
    2,186
    Feedback Score
    3 (100%)
    Just wow!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    AZ
    Posts
    6,323
    Feedback Score
    8 (100%)
    Very cool, its like a inter web reality show in progress. Its just I want my frame to be in the show
    "Air Force / Policeman / Fireman / Man of God / Friend of mine / R.I.P. Steve Lamy"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    FL
    Posts
    1,829
    Feedback Score
    21 (100%)
    I always like seeing the threads you and MrSmith put up of your work. It's like functional art.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    6,162
    Feedback Score
    0
    Wow. You should have a TV show - The Joy of Gunsmithing.
    I like my rifles like my women - short, light, fast, brown, and suppressed.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Cincinnati Ohio
    Posts
    61
    Feedback Score
    0
    I always wondered how the "squared " trigger guard was accomplished.
    The finished project will be a sight to behold !


    Thanks for posting the pics !

    DAT85

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    I go where I'm told.
    Posts
    2,167
    Feedback Score
    15 (100%)
    Can't wait to see the finished piece. Between you and Mr. Smith, I've just gotta cough up the cash for an indulgence one day.
    Acta Non Verba

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Burpelson AFB
    Posts
    1,084
    Feedback Score
    14 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by DAT85 View Post
    I always wondered how the "squared " trigger guard was accomplished.
    The finished project will be a sight to behold !


    Thanks for posting the pics !

    DAT85
    That's one of the ways I've seen it done, and by FAR the safest and best looking.

    Another way is to use a torch and one of these...



    The finger forward on the trigger guard has been out of favor for sometime, but I still like the aesthetics of a squared trigger guard. Takes me back to the 80's...

    Absolutely beautiful pistolsmithing!
    Up men! Up! And to your posts! Let no man forget today that he is from Old Virginia! - General George Pickett

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Near a cornfield...
    Posts
    1,488
    Feedback Score
    0

    Talking

    Very interesting. It's great to see how it is done. It's, also, interesting that someone wants a retro custom look.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Bill Tidler Jr.
    **************

    ...We have long maintained that the only accessories that a 1911 needs are a trigger you can manage, sights that you can see, and a dehorning job. That still goes.
    ~Jeff Cooper

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •